Best movies like Pasolini
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
We are with Pasolini during the last hours of his life, as he talks with his beloved family and friends, writes, gives a brutally honest interview, shares a meal with Ninetto Davoli, and cruises for the roughest rough trade in his gun-metal gray Alfa Romeo. Over the course of the action, Pasolini’s life and his art (represented by scenes from his films, his novel-in-progress Petrolio, and his projected film Porno-Teo-Kolossal) are constantly refracted and intermingled to the point where they become one.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: France, Belgium, Italy
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, serious, realistic, intellectual, independent film, contemplative
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Similar in 78%
Angelus novus (1987)
Plot Summary:
The dramatic and scandalous life of the variously renowned and reviled poet, screenwriter and film director Pier Paolo Pasolini (1922-1975) is reportedly poorly served in this highly allegorical and intellectual film which focuses rather more on his poetic and intellectual contributions to Italian Marxism than anyone except a highly intellectual Italian Marxist could possibly want to know. This is hardly surprising, given that the neophyte director of this film has a day job as an assistant professor of "the sociology of conscience." Pasolini, who at one point was convicted of the crime of "offending the religion of the (Italian) state" (Catholicism), later received the Grand Prize from the Catholic Film Office for his straightforward and stunning film of Il Vangelo Secundo Matteo (The Gospel According to St. Matthew).
IMDB Rating:
IMDB Votes:
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Italy
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: intellectual
Similar in 89%
Dalida (2016)
Plot Summary:
Based on the true story of acclaimed music icon "Dalida" born in Cairo, who gained celebrity in the 50s, singing in French, Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, German, Italian, playing in awarded Youssef Chahine's picture "Le Sixième Jour", and who later committed suicide in 1987 in Paris, after selling more than 130 million records worldwide.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: France
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, realistic, disturbing, non-linear, crying
Similar in 77%
Blue (1993)
Plot Summary:
Against a plain, unchanging blue screen, a densely interwoven soundtrack of voices, sound effects and music attempt to convey a portrait of Derek Jarman's experiences with AIDS, both literally and allegorically, together with an exploration of the meanings associated with the colour blue.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK, Japan
Duration: 79 min
Plot tags: realistic, atmospheric, serious, underground film, experimental, factual, thought provoking, avant garde, absurd, existential
Similar in 87%
Loro (2018)
Plot Summary:
Internationally released Director's Cut of "Loro 1" and "Loro 2", which were released separately as two movies in Italy. The film talks about the group of businessmen and politicians – the Loro (Them) from the title – who live and act near to media tycoon and politician Silvio Berlusconi in the years between 2006 and 2009.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Italy, France
Duration: 151 min
Plot tags: realistic, disturbing, atmospheric, serious, absurd, visual, cult classic
Similar in 86%
Loro (2018)
Plot Summary:
"Loro", in two parts, is a period movie that chronicles, as a fiction story, events likely happened in Italy (or even made up) between 2006 and 2010. "Loro" wants to suggest in portraits and glimps, through a composite constellation of characters, a moment in history, now definitively ended, which can be described in a very summary picture of the events as amoral, decadent but extraordinarily alive. Additionally, "Loro" wishes to tell the story of some Italians, fresh and ancient people at the same time: souls from a modern imaginary Purgatory who, moved by heterogeneous intents like ambition, admiration, affection, curiosity, personal interests, establish to try and orbit around the walking Paradise that is the man named Silvio Berlusconi.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Italy, France
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: psychological, realistic, factual, tense, captivating, controversial
Similar in 88%
This Is My Body (2001)
Plot Summary:
Gifted student Antoine goes against his family’s wishes and accepts the lead role in a controversial director’s film. He learns that the role had previously been offered to a young man who committed suicide after an on-set affair – and events conspire to draw Antoine towards the same lover.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 213
Genere: Drama
Country: France, Portugal
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, serious, emotional, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 90%
Mapplethorpe (2018)
Plot Summary:
A look at the life of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe from his rise to fame in the 1970s to his untimely death in 1989.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: costume drama, queer cinema
Similar in 86%
Tom of Finland (2017)
Plot Summary:
Touko Laaksonen, a decorated officer, returns home after a harrowing and heroic experience serving his country in World War II, but life in Finland during peacetime proves equally distressing. He finds peace-time Helsinki rampant with persecution of the homosexual and men around him even being pressured to marry women and have children. Touko finds refuge in his liberating art, specialising in homoerotic drawings of muscular men, free of inhibitions. His work – made famous by his signature ‘Tom of Finland’ – became the emblem of a generation of men and fanned the flames of a gay revolution.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: homoerotic, romantic, serious, realistic, compassionate, social, surreal, novela, queer cinema, banned
Similar in 75%
Savage Nights (1992)
Plot Summary:
Jean is young, gay, and promiscuous. Only after he meets one or two women, including Laura does he come to realize his bisexuality. Jean has to overcome a personal crisis and a tough choice between Laura and his male lover Samy.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Crime, Drama, Romance
Country: France, Italy
Duration: 126 min
Plot tags: sexy, sexual, anthology, sensual, cult classic, erotic drama, steamy, sincere, serious, realistic
Similar in 90%
Enfant Terrible (2020)
Plot Summary:
When 22-year-old Rainer Werner Fassbinder storms the stage of a small, progressive theatre in Munich 1967, and seizes the production without further ado, nobody suspects this brazen young rebel to become one of the most important post-war German filmmakers. Despite early setbacks, many of his films breakout at the most renowned films festivals and polarise audience, critics and filmmakers alike. His radical views and self-exploitation, as well as his longing for love, have made him one of the most fascinating film directors of this time.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Germany
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, unusual plot structure, captivating, contemplative, queer cinema
Similar in 89%
Tropic of Cancer (1970)
Plot Summary:
In contemporary Paris, expat American writer Henry Miller works his way through a series of amorous encounters while trying to find his literary voice.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 678
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: realistic, stylized, atmospheric, serious, erotic, clever, controversial, sexual, grindhouse, sexy
Similar in 75%
Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa! (2006)
Plot Summary:
Kenneth Williams was the star of the Carry Ons and Round the Horne. Despite his fame, he led a life full of mental torture as he tried to overcome his homosexuality in 1950s Britain. This film follows his life and eventual death based on the many diaries he kept.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 79 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, emotional, realistic, period drama
Similar in 79%
Yves Saint Laurent (2014)
Plot Summary:
A look at the life of French designer Yves Saint Laurent from the beginning of his career in 1958 when he met his lover and business partner, Pierre Berge.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: France, Belgium
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: sentimental, enigmatic, melancholic, factual, captivating, sweet, art house, serious, realistic, stylized
Similar in 83%
The Broken Tower (2011)
Plot Summary:
Docudrama about American poet Hart Crane, who committed suicide in April 1932 at the age of 32 by jumping off the steamship SS Orizaba.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, realistic, sincere, serious, emotional, stylized, black and white, inspirational, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 87%
An Englishman in New York (2009)
Plot Summary:
Biographical drama based on the last 20 years of Crisp's life. The literary figure and gay iconoclast emigrated to New York in 1981 and lived there until his death. The film observes Crisp in both his public and private lives, from his seemingly cavalier response to the outbreak of AIDS to his tender relationship with his friend Patrick Angus and his own response to growing old.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 75 min
Plot tags: sincere, realistic, touching, humorous, witty, semi serious, queer cinema, flamboyance, iconic
Similar in 84%
Vysotsky: Thank God I'm Alive (2011)
Plot Summary:
Russian poet, singer and actor Vladimir Vysotsky was an idol of the 1970s and '80s. In 1980, at the age of 42, he passed away during the Moscow Olympic Games. This is the story of his last great love as handed down to his son from a family friend. Written by nitorch.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Russia
Duration: 128 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, captivating, dramatic, emotional, suspenseful, gloomy
Similar in 87%
Wild Blood (2008)
Plot Summary:
The story of two renowned actors of Fascist cinema, Luisa Ferida and Osvaldo Valenti, who were supporters of the Salò Republic. Accused of collaboration and torture, they were shot by the Partisans after the country was liberated.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Italy, France
Duration: 148 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, sexy, touching, tense, suspenseful, gloomy, sexual
Similar in 81%
The Happy Prince (2018)
Plot Summary:
THE HAPPY PRINCE tells the story of the last days of Oscar Wilde. This great man of letters, once one of the most famous authors in England, is now a superstar on the skids. As Oscar lies on his death bed, the past comes flooding back to him, transporting him to other times and places.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK, Belgium, Italy, Germany
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: touching, suspenseful, depressing, captivating, suspense, melancholic, sad, art film, costume drama, fairy tale
Similar in 90%
The Naked Civil Servant (1975)
Plot Summary:
Story of the life of Quentin Crisp, an Englishman who was brave enough to live his life according to his own style even in the hostile days of WW2.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 77 min
Plot tags: period piece, sincere, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, witty, controversial, queer cinema
Similar in 77%
Leopardi (2014)
Plot Summary:
A luminously beautiful biopic of the celebrated eighteenth-century Italian poet, essayist and philosopher Giacomo Leopardi, who created immortal verse whilst struggling with a debilitating illness.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Italy
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags: psychological, serious, realistic, captivating, historical drama
Similar in 87%
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985)
Plot Summary:
A fictional account of the life of Japanese author Yukio Mishima told in four parts. The first three parts relate events in three of his novels: The temple of the Golden Pavilion, Kyoko's House, and Runaway Horses. The last part depicts the events of 25th November 1970.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: surreal, atmospheric, serious, philosophical, mind bending, psychedelic, spiritual, disturbing, anthology, avant garde
Similar in 87%
Prick Up Your Ears (1987)
Plot Summary:
Stephen Frears directs this biographical drama focusing on controversial British playwright Joe Orton, revealed in flashback after his murder by lover Kenneth Halliwell. Born in 1933 in Leicester, in the English Midlands, John 'Joe' Orton moves to London in 1951, to study at RADA, and enjoys an openly gay relationship with Halliwell in their famous Islington flat in the 1960s. However, when Orton achieves spectacular success with such plays as 'What the Butler Saw' and 'Loot', Halliwell begins to feel alienated and the pair's future looks increasingly uncertain.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: independent film, witty, dark comedy, black comedy, period piece, tense, clever, serious, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 80%
Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon (1998)
Plot Summary:
Biography of the British painter Francis Bacon. The movie focuses on his relationship with George Dyer, his lover. Dyer was a former small time crook.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, France, Japan, USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: cult classic, controversial, heartbreaking, art film, serious, realistic, contemplative, biting, independent film, transgressive
Similar in 75%
Margot (2009)
Plot Summary:
At the age of forty Dame Margot Fonteyn is considered to be past her best as a prima ballerina and Ninette de Valois is reducing her roles at the Royal Ballet. Then the exciting young Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev, a recent defector to the West, comes into her life and her bed and revitalizes her career. Frederick Aashton creates a new ballet for them and they become the golden couple of the ballet world. However, Margot is married to Roberto 'Tito' Arias, a Panamanian politician of dubious repute who is not sympathetic to her calling and is probably faithless. When he is shot and paralyzed for life Margot must carry on dancing well into her sixties in order to pay for his costly treatment though she still collaborates with Rudolf in the occasional ballet.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 291
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, stylized
Similar in 81%
I Shot Andy Warhol (1996)
Plot Summary:
Based on the true story of Valerie Solanas who was a 1960s radical preaching hatred toward men in her "Scum" manifesto. She wrote a screenplay for a film that she wanted Andy Warhol to produce, but he continued to ignore her. So she shot him. This is Valerie's story.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: independent film, clever, disturbing, philosophical, surreal, art film, grim, edutainment, tense, offbeat
Similar in 81%
Before Night Falls (2000)
Plot Summary:
Spanning several decades, this powerful biopic offers a glimpse into the life of famed Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas, an artist who was vilified for his homosexuality in Fidel Castro's Cuba.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 26000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: Mexico, USA
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, bleak, lyrical, serious, emotional, realistic, independent film, sincere, sad, factual
Similar in 81%
Wilde (1997)
Plot Summary:
The story of Oscar Wilde, genius, poet, playwright and the First Modern Man. The self-realisation of his homosexuality caused Wilde enormous torment as he juggled marriage, fatherhood and responsibility with his obsessive love for Lord Alfred Douglas.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Japan, Germany
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: homoerotic, costume drama, touching, period piece, witty, historical drama, sentimental, sincere, serious, captivating
Similar in 78%
Henry & June (1990)
Plot Summary:
While traveling in Paris, author Henry Miller and his wife, June, meet Anais Nin, and sexual sparks fly as Nin starts an affair with the openly bisexual June. When June is forced to return to the U.S., she gives Nin her blessing to sleep with her husband. Then, when June returns to France, an unexpected, and sometimes contentious, threesome forms.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA, France
Duration: 136 min
Plot tags: sexy, sensual, controversial, erotic, melancholic, atmospheric, stylized, serious, realistic, intellectual
Similar in 82%
Breaking the Code (1996)
Plot Summary:
A biography of the English mathematician Alan Turing, who was one of the inventors of the digital computer and one of the key figures in the breaking of the Enigma code, used by the Germans to send secret orders to their U-boats in World War II. Turing was also a homosexual in Britain at a time when this was illegal, besides being a security risk.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 668
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 75 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, captivating, realistic, contemplative
Similar in 88%
Sal (2011)
Plot Summary:
James Franco's Sal chronicles the final hours of the life of actor Sal Mineo, one-time teen idol and star of the blockbuster films Rebel Without a Cause and Exodus.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 510
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: sincere, atmospheric, touching, serious, realistic, gloomy, independent film